Pelvic Floor devices

So no one seems to talk about this but u am putting it out there anyway. Has anyone used a device (such as an 'elvie') to either prepare for or recover from child birth, or for general pelvic floor maintenance? I would like to hear your experience if so, is it easy/comfortable to use, did you notice a difference, etc.

Although I have been very good with my kegels and have no apparent damage after my VBAC, I have been scared reading all the possible side effects so many women suffer such as incontinence, prolapse etc and I would like to minimise my risk as much as possible (as I am very keen to get back into running and intensive exercise which increase this risk alone). So I am looking at potentially using a device to help me develop ping-pong-ball-popping pelvic floor strength!

FYI I do see a post natal Physio, but wanted to hear about real experiences with these devices.

No experience but I remember reading they are generally not recommended by physio's. The gist of was there have been no studies on their efficacy and there was a risk of injury if used incorrectly. Not sure if that helps!

No experience but I remember reading they are generally not recommended by physio's. The gist of was there have been no studies on their efficacy and there was a risk of injury if used incorrectly. Not sure if that helps!

Go you! I don't think there is anywhere near enough emphasis on the importance of pelvic floor strength (ping pong ball popping strength no doubt).

My sister had her baby in France and there... Get this... The government pays for physio to get everything back to a suitable strength following birth. It involves video games and popping cherries on screen using your muscles.

I keep forgetting to do mine. I saw a physio about mine after my giant baby. Mine went from a "d" (no control) to a "b". I'm still aiming to get an "a" (when I remember). The physio said it's rare. I'd be interested to see if a device works. Perhaps a bit of research into what is used/recommended in France?

The Following User Says Thank You to binnielici For This Useful Post:

I don't post very often (and what a thread to jump into, lol), but I'm in the same boat as you Sunnygirl79 - really wanting to look after my pelvic floor. I don't have any issues, but now that I have two babies (youngest is 5mo) I've realised I need to be proactive if I want to stay issue-free. I am keen to get back into running but want to ensure my PF is strong enough first, so I've been religiously doing exercises for this (and a slight diastasis).
My physio recommended an "Educator" which has been helpful (only had it for 2 weeks). The Elvie looks very cool though!

The Following User Says Thank You to nocturne For This Useful Post:

I don't post very often (and what a thread to jump into, lol), but I'm in the same boat as you Sunnygirl79 - really wanting to look after my pelvic floor. I don't have any issues, but now that I have two babies (youngest is 5mo) I've realised I need to be proactive if I want to stay issue-free. I am keen to get back into running but want to ensure my PF is strong enough first, so I've been religiously doing exercises for this (and a slight diastasis).
My physio recommended an "Educator" which has been helpful (only had it for 2 weeks). The Elvie looks very cool though!

You sound exactly like me! My second Bub is 4.5 months. I need to talk to my Physio again, I got a bit freaked out when she started talking devices, TBH I thought I would have been back running weeks ago and not having to think about it all anymore. Just shows how uneducated I was on PF in general. I mean I always do the exercises, but I didn't know running and weights etc were so bad for it until now. And I also thought I would be fine because I have had no issues to date. It's all been an eye opener, and I am staggered we don't get more if this kind of info from our midwives/Obs/GPs.

I definitely don't want to end up with issues later on so I am trying to get on top of things now as well. I think a device would help me remember to do them and more importantly do them properly and track my progress instead of guessing.

You sound exactly like me! My second Bub is 4.5 months. I need to talk to my Physio again, I got a bit freaked out when she started talking devices, TBH I thought I would have been back running weeks ago and not having to think about it all anymore. Just shows how uneducated I was on PF in general. I mean I always do the exercises, but I didn't know running and weights etc were so bad for it until now. And I also thought I would be fine because I have had no issues to date. It's all been an eye opener, and I am staggered we don't get more if this kind of info from our midwives/Obs/GPs.

I definitely don't want to end up with issues later on so I am trying to get on top of things now as well. I think a device would help me remember to do them and more importantly do them properly and track my progress instead of guessing.

Our bubs are very similar in age! How's it all going? And I totally get you on the lack of education about pelvic floor. It makes me cringe when I think about the type of exercise I did after my first baby. I was back at the gym 6 weeks PN and my OB didn't mention anything about PF. It's only been during this pregnancy that I've become a lot more educated, most of it due to the physio pilates classes I've been doing pre and post natal (which I initially deemed as pointless because they weren't the high impact I was used to). The Pilates has given me heaps more body awareness in general, which I reckon will really help when I do get back to running.

I think a device is helpful for that reason too. I've always been pretty consistent with exercises, but it means I'm more focussed. There's also a book called Hold. It. Sister (I just don't want to come up in Google search!) which is brilliant. There's a chapter on PF and stability exercises which I've been doing, and I'm really seeing where I'm weak.

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